INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 17, 2009) - John Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay
drove their way into the 2009 Indianapolis 500 with last-gasp attempts
on Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Taking advantage of improved conditions over Third-Day Qualifying on
May 16, several drivers withdrew their times to avoid the bubble. Tomas
Scheckter, Mike Conway, E.J. Viso, Nelson Philippe and Milka Duno all
pulled this gamble off successfully and managed to move to safer times,
while Bruno Junqueira had little trouble making the cut on his first run
of the month.

Andretti, who began the day in the field, got bumped midway through
the day by Junqueira, who was making his first qualifying attempt
with Conquest Racing, then struggled to find speed on two qualifying
attempts.

With just 15 minutes of the session remaining, Andretti, Barrett and
Lazier were all outside the field, and Hunter-Reay had been pushed back
onto the bubble again.

Andretti was first to try to snatch Hunter-Reay's grid spot, but his
four-lap average was too slow to bump the Vision Racing car from the
field. Barrett and Lazier then made last-ditch efforts to qualify,
before both waved off their runs after poor first laps.

Their quick decisions to abandon their attempts allowed Andretti to go
back out again with eight minutes to go - and on his final attempt, he
earned a spot in his 10th Indianapolis 500, posting a four-lap average
speed of 221.316 to bump Hunter-Reay. Andretti has qualified every time
he has participated in month of May activities.

Hunter-Reay was able to rebound, too, posting a speed of 220.597 to
edge Alex Tagliani by a few hundredths of a second. That put Tagliani
alongside Stanton Barrett and former "500" winner Buddy Lazier as
non-qualifiers for this year's race.

For the day, nine drivers combined to make 12 qualifying attempts,
resulting in seven bumps.

The 33-driver field is the closest-matched by time in the history of the
Indianapolis 500. Just 3.0967 seconds separate the cumulative four-lap
qualifying times of polesitter Helio Castroneves and Hunter-Reay.

***

Monday will be a busy day for the 33 starters of the Indianapolis 500,
as well as League and Speedway executives. Front Row qualifiers Helio
Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe and Dario Franchitti, as well as driver Ryan
Hunter-Reay, will fly to New York tonight for Monday morning media
appearances. The Front Row drivers will appear on FOX's "Morning Show
with Mike & Juliet" and on XM Sirius' Mad Dog Radio. Hunter-Reay
will appear on Bloomberg News and will be joined by Indy Racing League
President, Commercial Division, Terry Angstadt on Fox Business' "Money
for Breakfast."

The rest of the 33 starters will depart Indianapolis at 7 a.m. Monday.
The entire field will pose for photographs in the traditional 11 rows of
three at Herald Square, home of the flagship Macy's department store.
All drivers will participate in a media luncheon with more than 100
national and international correspondents.

Other Monday media appearances include an appearance by Tony George, CEO
of the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on CNBC's
"Power Lunch," Sarah Fisher on Comedy Central's "Daily Show with Jon
Stewart," and the Front Row drivers on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."

***

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY CENTENNIAL ERA FACT OF THE DAY: The
Indianapolis Motor Speedway's highly recognizable "Winged-Wheel" logo
was introduced in 1909. The wheel represented the founders' vision of an
automobile testing ground, and the wings alluded to the role aviation
played in the early years at the Speedway.

Through the years, the logo has had hundreds of variations, usually
custom-made for the application, be it program cover, credential, ticket
or poster. The seven racing flags became a primary element by the
mid-1950s.

***

At 11:20 a.m., new enlistees were inducted into the Armed Forces in
a ceremony held in front of the Pagoda as part of Armed Forces Day
activities. The new enlistees were sworn in by Sen. Richard Lugar of
Indiana.

SEN. RICHARD LUGAR:
(On the IMS Centennial Era and the swearing-in
ceremony): "The history of the Speedway is such an important part of
our history in Indiana. We all reassure memories of how it began and
all the development over the years. I've had a special privilege the
last 29 years swearing into the armed forces young men and women from
Indiana. With all the background of the Speedway, the people come here
to see the race cars but also treasure ideals of patriotism, and are
very thoughtful about our troops. We look forward to breakfast each
year with Mari Hulman George and Tony George. I remember vividly my
initial experience with Tony Hulman, which made it possible for us
to swear in these troops. Each year is filled with memories, and we
think of the history of the Speedway and we think of the history of the
Armed Forces Day and the way the history has been celebrated here."
(About his enjoyment of racing at IMS): "I came out annually as mayor
of Indianapolis. For eight years (when mayor), we watched it with our
family and took part in the celebrations. This Armed Service Day has
offered me an opportunity as a senator to continue those ties."

***

Military presence, tradition and recognition are time-honored staples
of the Indianapolis 500, especially today on IMS Armed Forces Day. This
year, there is an added military presence in the paddock as two cars
are sponsored by branches of the U.S. military, the No. 2 US Air Force
Luczo Dragon car driven by Brazilian Rafael Matos and the No. 4 National
Guard Panther Racing car driven by Englishman Dan Wheldon. Despite being
non-U.S. citizens, both drivers have strong senses of honor, pride and
responsibility being associated with the U.S. military.

Wheldon is involved with the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program,a
preventative at-risk program that helps 16 to 18-year-old dropouts
get their GED, return to school or enter into secondary education
courses. One recent Youth ChalleNGe graduate, Cadet Clarence Jones, is
of particular interest to Wheldon. The two met earlier this year at the
National Guard's Youth ChalleNGe Gala. Emotionally moved by Cadet Jones'
story of going from a Georgia gang member to a future commercial pilot,
Cadet Jones will be a special guest of Panther Racing for the 2009
Indianapolis 500.

RAPHAEL MATOS: "It means a lot. I'm very proud and very honored to be
carrying the Air Force logo on my car. It's a lot of responsibility
for me and for the whole team. The team is very motivated to have the
Air Force with us. We have pretty much the same philosophy has the Air
Force boys: They fight for our freedom, and we're fighting here for
performance and to get good results. Hopefully, we'll make them proud of
us."

DAN WHELDON: "It's an absolute honor. To think that I can be part of the
program and represent a group of truly courageous, honorable and very
persevering individuals; it's incredible to represent them. To carry the
camouflage colors is incredibly appropriate for this particular race,
and nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to be in Victory
Lane with some soldiers drinking milk."

(About ChalleNGe program): "As
far as the Youth ChalleNGe program, I was announced as the national
spokesperson for that particular program in Long Beach. Having met a lot
of the cadets who have enrolled in the program, it's very humbling to be
part of that. There are some fantastic individuals I've met, and I find
it very humbling and inspirational. For me, I don't feel like it's me
that's giving; it's the different cadets that are giving. Some of the
stories that you hear make you realize truly how special they are."

***

John Montgomery Jr., 40, of Columbus, Ohio, has done about everything
there is to do in working on an Indy car. His main expertise is carbon
fiber work, but he's been a fabricator, tire changer, an air jack man, a
general mechanic and other things with several teams.

The last two years, he worked for Rahal Letterman's IndyCar Series
program but was part of the winter layoff group from that team. But he
still came to Indy. He was staying with a friend and mentioned Thursday
morning, May 14 that he was going to the track to look for a job, then
go home to Columbus to see his family and come back that night. But he
didn't make it back to Columbus. The Rahal Letterman team asked when he
could start for the weekend. He said "now." He returned to his friend's
place that night wearing a DAFCA team shirt, and two days later, Oriol
Servia was third fastest in Third Day Qualifying at 220.984 mph in the
Rahal Letterman entry.

JOHN MONTGOMERY JR: "I've just been tearing up the concrete all month
trying for an opportunity to work for a team. I think I've talked to
every team manager, and Scott Roembke and Steve Dickson were very
gracious, and they gave me an opportunity to be a part of it. God and
my family are most important to me, but this is the pinnacle of racing,
the most important race in the world, the history itself, the passion
itself. Since I was a kid, I wanted to compete in some sense. I wanted
to drive, but I was very good mechanically and driving was not my
calling. There weren't a lot of opportunities, but I wasn't going to
miss one. It raised my spirits. It's exciting. I want to just be a part
of it. There's nothing like being here and seeing everyone again. It's
just awesome. Eventually, I hope to come 'back home again in Indiana.'"

***

The Fisher House organization, a charity supported by the Indianapolis
500, has a booth on the Pagoda Plaza today to raise funds to equip
"homes away from home" for families of service members receiving medical
care. Fisher House has 38 comfort homes at military and VA medical
centers, providing support to families of patients receiving care.
Families of service men and women wounded or injured in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom do not pay for their stay at a
Fisher House.

EARNEST WINSTON (Volunteer): "This organization is for soldiers who
have an illness or physical condition and their families to be together
and help support them. Fisher House homes have kitchens and laundry
rooms, and the families can stay with their soldiers who have been,
unfortunately, hurt."

(On the plaza this month): "We're selling T-shirts
for $10 and dog tags for $5. All of the proceeds go the Fisher House
organization."

***

Fans this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have enjoyed seeing
the four founding fathers of IMS, played by local actors in period
attire, walking the stands, taking photographs and talking to fans.

Tom Harrison is playing Carl Fisher, Hal Hefner is playing James
Allison, Jeff Angel is playing Frank Wheeler, and Matthew Allen is
playing Arthur Newby. The actors will participate in the IPL 500
Festival Parade on Saturday, May 23 and have appeared at various IMS
functions since the Centennial Era was announced in May 2008.

All four actors said the fans have been very enthusiastic about seeing
the group and that each character is easily recognized. Some fans also
have purchased a picture of the actual founding fathers in IMS Gift
Shops and showed it to the actors.

HAL HEFNER (Actor playing James Allison): "Allison gets a lot of 'I
work for you!' from fans. He founded Allison transmissions, of course.
We had a guy who has been to 62 straight races who came up and talked
to us yesterday. We've had about three or four people who have said, 'I
went in and bought your picture.'"

***

Today was IRL Family Day at the track, sponsored by IRL Ministries and
the Indy Family Foundation.

FELICIA McCORMACK (Volunteer): "We invited the families of the crew
members, IRL officials and IMS/Brickyard employees out for a day at the
track. Hundreds of people enjoyed lunch and had garage passes. We had
gifts for the children, racing simulators, little go-kart race cars
and a vision screening by Prevent Blindness Indiana. It was fabulous.
Indy Family Foundation promotes camaraderie among the participants in
the racing community. And we have a benevolent fund that aids racers in
times of financial need due to injury or illness."

***

QUALIFYING LINE CHRONOLOGY, 5:35-6 P.M.

#19 Scheckter Made successful qualifying attempt at 5:36 p.m.

#43 J. Andretti Made unsuccessful qualifying attempt at 5:40 p.m.

#34T Tagliani Pulled out of line at 5:41 p.m., pulled back in line behind #21T
Hunter-Reay.

#21T Hunter-Reay Pulled out of line at 5:45 p.m.

#91 Lazier Waved off after Lap 1 of qualifying attempt.

#34T Tagliani Pulled out of line at 5:46 p.m.

#98 Barrett Waved off after Lap 1 of qualifying attempt.

#00 Philippe Pulled out of line at 5:49 p.m., pulled back in line behind Hunter-Reay,
Tagliani, Servia and Andretti.

#21T Hunter-Reay Pulled out of line at 5:51 p.m.

#34T Tagliani Pulled out of line at 5:51 p.m.

#17 Servia Pulled out of line at 5:51 p.m.

#43 Andretti Made successful qualifying attempt at 5:52 p.m. after pulling in line at
5:50 p.m. behind Hunter-Reay, Tagliani and Servia.

#00 Philippe Pulled out of line at 5:57 p.m.

#21T Hunter-Reay Made successful qualifying attempt at 5:57 p.m.

#34T Tagliani Only car in line when gun fired at 6 p.m.

#91 Lazier, #17 Servia were in line behind #34T Tagliani after
Hunter-Reay started attempt. #17 Servia pulled out of line at 5:58 p.m.

#91 Lazier pulled out of line at 5:59 p.m.

***

INDYCAR SERIES POST-QUALIFYING NOTES:

- Ryan Hunter-Reay wins the $50,000 Firestone Indy 500 Final
Qualifier Award as the last driver to qualify on Bump Day. He will start
33rd.

- Tomas Scheckter wins the $10,000 Red Gold Red Zone Award for
turning the fastest single qualifying lap on Bump Day. Lap 1 of his
attempt was 221.845 mph. He will start 26th.

- John Andretti qualified 28th for his 10th Indianapolis 500, his
lowest career starting position. His previous low was 27th in his first
"500" in 1988.

- Nine drivers combined to make 12 qualifying attempts on Bump
Day. There were seven "bumps."

- This is the closest matched field by time in Indianapolis 500
history. 3.0967 seconds separate fastest qualifier Helio Castroneves
and slowest qualifier Ryan Hunter-Reay. The previous record was 3.2422
seconds set in 2001.

- This is the sixth-closest matched field by speed in
Indianapolis 500 history. 4.267 miles per hour separate fastest
qualifier Helio Castroneves and slowest qualifier Ryan Hunter-Reay. The
record is 3.130 miles per hour set in 1953.

- There are four former Indianapolis 500 winners in the starting
field: Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002), Dan Wheldon (2005), Dario
Franchitti (2007) and Scott Dixon (2008). Between them they have six
victories. The record for most former winners in the field is 10 in
1992. The fewest, other than the inaugural race in 1911, is zero in
1912.

- There is a combined 125 previous Indianapolis 500 starts
among the 33 drivers in this year's field. The record is 260 years
of experience set in 1987 and 1992. There were 104 years of combined
experience in last year's field.

- Scott Sharp is the most experienced driver in the field with 13
previous Indianapolis 500 starts. The record is 35 set in consecutive
years from 1958-1992 by A.J. Foyt.

- The oldest driver in the starting field is Davey Hamilton, 45.
The youngest qualifier is Graham Rahal, 20.

- There are four rookies in the field. They are Mike Conway,
Robert Doornbos, Raphael Matos and Nelson Phillipe. Last year's field
had 11 rookies.

- In addition to the four rookies in the race, there are three
other drivers (Dario Franchitti, Scott Sharp and Paul Tracy) who did not
start in last year's race.

- Dan Wheldon has led 234 career laps in the Indianapolis 500,
more than any other driver in this year's field. Tony Kanaan is the only
other driver in the field who has led more than 200 career laps in the
Indianapolis 500. Kanaan has led 214 laps.

- Buddy Lazier failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.
The 16-time race starter is the only driver who has started every
Indianapolis 500 under IndyCar Series banner (1996-2008).

***

A total of 48 cars are currently at the Speedway and have passed
technical inspection. Thirty-six drivers have been on the track to date
and turned 1,841 laps today and 12,184 laps this month. Marco Andretti
turned 114 laps, the most laps today. There were four cautions today for
a total of 35 minutes.

The 2009 IndyCar Series season continues May 24 with the
Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be
telecast live in High Definition at 1 p.m. (EDT) by ABC. The race will
air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 145 and Sirius channel
211. The radio broadcast also will be carried on www.indycar.com. The
2009 Firestone Indy Lights season continues May 22 at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. The race will be telecast May 22 by VERSUS as part of its Carb
Day coverage from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (EDT).